Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 05 | Page 14

LATEST INTELLIGENCE LATEST INTELLIGENCE WI-FI IS EASY, SECURE WI-FI , y IS THE CHALLENGE s a E s PRESENTED BY S HOW TO AVOID FALLING PREY TO RANSOMWARE R ansomware is a form of computer malware that disables your access to your computer or the information within it through encryption, while demanding you pay a ransom to receive the decryption key to regain access. Download white paper here 14 INTELLIGENTCIO insufficient to detect and prevent known advanced malware. WHY DOES IT MATTER TO ME? Cybercriminals often view SMBs and distributed enterprises as “low hanging fruit!” While the ransom requested is usually around $300, research shows that on average a single ransomware attack could cost small and midsize businesses up to $99,000. Reports indicate that 42% of small and midsize businesses (SMBs) consider crypto-malware (such as ransomware) to be one of the most serious threats they face – and for good reason! Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly focused on SMBs and distributed enterprises where they find a large number of organisations with network security that is often Ransomware is an increasingly common method of attack for hackers against individuals, SMBs and enterprises alike. While the first incidents of ransomware were discovered in as early as 2005, the last three years have seen this type of threat explode in popularity and compromise millions of computers and mobile devices around the world. www.intelligentcio.com i . i e F g - i n e W l l a h C e h t s i i F - O i W ecure rganisations across all industries are facing increased pressure from customers, vendors, and employees to offer wireless access. While offering this service provides gains, there are multiple areas of consideration for the provider including mobile engagement and analytics, hotspots, IoT (Internet of things), and the widening cellular spectrum capacity gap. In this eBook, we’ll explore the increasing demand for Wi-Fi, and more importantly, how to secure your wireless network. WORKPLACE PRODUCTIVITY With the increase in wireless connection throughput to 802.11ac speed, workers are no longer tethered to an Ethernet cable. Organisations can offer the flexibility of a mobile workspace, while at the same time making no sacrifice to productivity with wireless bottlenecks. SUPERIOR ROI Traditional wired infrastructure is inflexible and costly to install. Businesses that choose to exclusively offer wired connectivity must cover the cost of wire, wall jacks, and switches, along with the cost of setup and maintenance. As the organisation grows and users are added, additional costs are incurred. Offering wireless hotspots is far less expensive, provides greater scalability, and offers the flexibility and efficiency for users to roam around the facility. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND REPEAT VISITS Guest Wi-Fi has become a ubiquitous offering across many business sectors. Organisations that choose to provide this service also need to accommodate high speed demands of streaming HD video and music. The hospitality industry is especially dependent on offering Wi-Fi, as travellers rank free Wi-Fi access as their number one criterion in selecting a hotel. MOBILE ENGAGEMENT Mobile engagement encompasses the many techniques businesses can use to communicate with customers once they’ve connected to the guest Wi-Fi network. This allows businesses to extend their engagement strategies past the splash page and provide an even richer online experience that informs customers with relevant details precisely when they want it most. Download white papers free from www.intelligentcio.com/africa/whitepapers/ www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 15